The third edition of the Lab Memorial Football Carnival is set to kick off with 16 teams competing in the two-day tournament.
The event, which begins on April 11 at the University of Lagos Sports Complex, Akoka, is designed to enhance grassroots football development and support local talents.
This year, the organizers have introduced an athletics program to the event, providing a platform for upcoming players to display their football talent and for pupils and students from primary and secondary schools in Iwaya and its environs to showcase their athletic prowess.
Gbolahan Fatuga, a former national 800 meters indoor record holder and the organizer of an organization called United Unattached Athletics, introduced the athletics program to this year’s event. The program will feature three categories with participants competing in 100, 400 and 800 meters and the relays. “So this is an opportunity to showcase the athletes that are based in Nigeria and create an opportunity for them for perhaps athletic scholarships in the US,” Fatuga said.
His initiative expands the scope of the carnival and provides a platform for young athletes to showcase their talents and potentially secure athletic scholarships. Fatuga’s introduction of the athletics program to the Lab Football Carnival is a significant development, as it not only diversifies the sports on offer but also provides additional opportunities for young athletes to showcase their talents and potentially secure athletic scholarships.
The football carnival, which started three years ago, was instituted in honour of the late Layiwola Ayinde Balogun, an advocate for youth and sports development who encouraged and empowered many people in the Iwaya community.
The tournament provides an opportunity for scouted players to join professional clubs, thereby supporting local talents. With the introduction of the athletics program to this year’s event, the Lab Memorial Football Carnival is not just a football tournament but a comprehensive sports event that caters to the diverse talents of the youth in the community. As the tournament continues to grow, it is expected to discover more talents and produce more stars who will represent the nation in various sports.
